Community Health Worker/Peer Workforce: Recruiting and Hiring for Social Determinants of Health Screening: Best Practices Guide and Findings from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Community Health Workers and Peer Specialists (CHW and Peers) are trusted members of the community who empower their communities through education and connections to health and social resources.  COVID-19 emphasized the value of the ‘lived experience’ that this workforce brings to their work, yet within health centers there remain barriers to both hiring and also effective deployment CHW and Peer staff.  This guide – created by CSH, MHP Salud, and National Healthcare for the Homeless Council – shares best practices for 1) recruiting, hiring and retaining, 2) integrating the CHW and Peer in the work 3) key role for CHW and Peeers in screening for SDOH.